Arsenal’s title defence just got a significant boost. Both Ben White and Jurrien Timber are expected to return to training ahead of the club’s 2026/27 pre-season programme, giving Mikel Arteta two welcome additions to his defensive ranks after a bruising end to last campaign.
The reigning Premier League champions have been sweating on the fitness of both defenders since late in the 2025/26 season. Now, with pre-season friendlies kicking off on August 1st, the news from the treatment room is encouraging.
What Happened to White and Timber?
Ben White’s season came to a painful halt in May. He suffered a medial knee ligament injury during Arsenal’s win over West Ham United and didn’t play again. The blow ruled him out of the final Premier League matches and, crucially, the Champions League final against PSG in Budapest.
It also ended any hope of representing England at the 2026 World Cup. White didn’t require surgery, which was at least some consolation. Arsenal targeted a pre-season return, and the 28-year-old is reportedly on track to meet that goal.
Timber’s situation has been different but equally frustrating. The Dutch defender battled a groin problem from mid-March onwards, missing the tail end of the season. Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman confirmed in May that the injury was serious enough to put his World Cup participation in doubt.
That fear was realised. Timber was officially ruled out of the tournament, unable to recover in time. He’s since been working his way back to fitness at London Colney.
Why This Matters for Arsenal’s Title Defence
Here’s the thing about Arsenal’s squad depth — it’s been tested relentlessly.
White’s versatility makes him almost irreplaceable. He’s comfortable at right-back and centre-back, and his understanding with Bukayo Saka down the right flank has been one of Arsenal’s most reliable attacking outlets.
Timber, meanwhile, offers something similar on the opposite side. Since recovering from the ACL injury that wiped out his debut season in 2023/24, he’s established himself as a key rotation option across the backline.
Losing both players down the stretch last season forced Arteta into uncomfortable tactical adjustments. Having them available from the start of the new campaign changes the picture entirely.
And the fixture list demands it. Arsenal’s pre-season schedule includes:
- August 1: Girona (away, Spain)
- August 5: Real Betis (Dublin)
- August 9: Borussia Dortmund (Emirates Stadium)
- August 12: Como (Emirates Stadium)
- August 16: Community Shield vs Manchester City (Cardiff)
That’s a packed itinerary before a league opener against Coventry City on August 21st.
What Comes Next?
The club are being cautious with both players, which makes sense. White is expected to participate fully in pre-season. Timber may be eased in gradually, with involvement in parts of the programme rather than the whole schedule.
Arteta will want every body available as quickly as possible. Several first-team players are still filtering back from World Cup duty, meaning the initial weeks of pre-season will feature a smaller squad than usual.
Last season proved just how thin things can get. Arsenal won the Premier League with a game to spare but lost the Champions League final on penalties, a night when every missing player felt like a dagger.
The manager spoke before that final about the importance of a full squad. Can Arteta afford to head into another campaign without his defensive depth sorted from day one? The answer is obvious.
White’s future has also been the subject of transfer talk. Reports have linked Everton and Crystal Palace with moves for the defender. But his expected return to pre-season suggests he remains very much part of Arsenal’s plans.
For now, the mood at London Colney is cautiously positive. Both players will undergo further assessments once the full squad reconvenes. But the early signs are that Arsenal will head into 2026/27 stronger at the back than they finished 2025/26.
And after the heartbreak of Budapest, that’s exactly what they need.
